The Cherry Orchard

by Anton Chekhov in a version by Pam Gems

Directed by Tony Fullwood

fullwoodthomas@ntlworld.com

Performance Dates: 25th March – 29th March 2025

THE PLAY AND THE PRODUCTION

Chekhov’s last play, first performed shortly before his death in 1904, is set on a grand Russian estate that’s in steep decline. The family’s debts mean their home, with its prized cherry orchard, is to be auctioned to the highest bidder.  How family members, their friends, neighbours and servants react to this crisis in all their lives is all the plot. What makes this play so wonderful is the richness of the characters themselves, their relationships and the opportunities for their interpretation given to actors and directors.

Arguments about whether the play is a tragedy, a comedy or something else, whether it is naturalistic, symbolic or something else began when it was first in rehearsal at the Moscow Arts Theatre. Chekhov said he had written a comedy, almost a farce; Stanislavsky, actor, director and the theatre’s leading light said it was a tragedy.

I hope our production will explore many possibilities but I am planning a non-naturalistic, mostly white set in which the cherry orchard itself, as the acts move from Spring to the beginning of Winter, will be the most prominent design feature. There will be some projection as well as furniture that will be used flexibly for the different settings.

AUDITIONS

FIRST AUDITIONS (Individual)

Sunday 24th November  –  10:30am – 1:00pm

Monday 25th November  –  7:00pm – 10:00pm

Wednesday 27th November  –  7:00pm – 10:00pm

Thursday 28th November  –  7:00pm – 10:00pm

Please indicate your preferred date(s) on the form – see below

If you cannot make ANY of these dates but would still like to audition, please email me.

CALL-BACKS (group)

Saturday 30th November  –  10:30am – 1:00pm

Sunday 1st December  –  10:30am – 1:00pm

Tuesday 3rd December  –  7:00pm – 10:00pm

Wednesday 4th December  –  7:00pm – 10:00pm

REHEARSALS

Weekday evenings 7:00pm – 10:00pm and some Sunday afternoons from Sunday 19th January – Friday 14th March, usually up to 3 times per week depending on part(s).

FULL CAST AVAILABILITY ESSENTIAL FOR PRODUCTION WEEK EVENINGS : Sunday 16th March (afternoon) – Thursday 20th March

FULL CAST TECHNICAL and DRESS REHEARSALS : Friday 21st, Sunday 23rd (afternoon) and Monday 24th March

PERFORMANCES : Tuesday 25th – Saturday 29th March: evenings, plus a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm

If you are interested in auditioning, check out the play which is widely available free on the internet, mostly in rather old translations by Julius West, though you can read a more modern, American one by Richard Nelson at : University of Sargodha website.

We will use an English version by Pam Gems from 2007 copies of which are not in print. I will supply cast members with copies.

Then, please complete the standard ‘Audition Submission Form’ below and email it to me at:  fullwoodthomas@ntlworld.com   If you have trouble with the form just send me an email message.

When I have received your form or request, I will contact you via email to confirm an audition slot and send you audition speech(es) to prepare for the part(s) you are interested in.

CASTING NOTES –

c16 with playing ages which are approximate

Don’t be put off by the Russian names. A pronunciation guide will be supplied in rehearsal!

The characters can be played in many different ways depending on the choices of the actors and the production but they should all be rounded, complex, often contradictory – like the rest of us! This ‘naturalistic’ acting will deliberately contrast the ‘non-naturalistic’ setting. Performers should expect some Stanislavsky work in rehearsal to help them fully inhabit their roles.

Lyuba Ranevskaya, 40-50 : Owner of the Ranevsky estate, landed gentry.

A sensual woman dominated by her emotions. Weak-willed but no fool, she finds it hard to come to terms with new realities.

Anya, 18, Lyuba’s daughter :

Idealistic, spoiled and naive but increasingly determined to adapt to meet the changing future. Besotted, though not necessarily deeply, with Trofimov.

Varya, mid 20s, Lyuba’s adopted daughter :

She serves as housekeeper, is devoted to Anya, very religious, fearful of the future and her place in it. Waiting eternally for Lopakhin to propose to her.

Leonid Gayev, 40-50, Ranevskaya’s brother :

Apparently wholly unable to grasp the realities of the approaching change, he could be an absurd figure and is prone to sounding daft but retains a sense of his own dignity. Constantly practises imaginary billiard shots.

Yermolai Lopakhin, 30-40 : self-made businessman,

descendent of serfs, his riches don’t (yet) make him feel comfortable in this elevated company. Has long admired Ranevskaya. May be in love with Varya.

Pyotr Trofimov, 25-30 : The tutor of Ranevskaya’s son who drowned five years ago.

Believes passionately in the coming revolution. Can sound pompous, ridiculous and self-deluded but idealistic and wants to grasp change. Appears, in his own way, to be in love with Anya.

Boris Semyonov-Pishchik, 50-70 : Neighbouring landowner.

Constantly in debt and cadging loans from every likely source. Could be ridiculous – rather fancies Charlotta, for example  – but his desperation has a certain dignity.

Charlotta Ivanovna, 30-50 : Anya’s governess.

Knows next to nothing of her origins, has no one in her life other than a lapdog it seems. (You need to be happy handling the dog.) Desperately lonely. Occasionally shows off her magic tricks.

Yepichodov, 20-30 : Clerk to the Ranevsky estate.

Accident-prone, gormless and a bit sad. Hopelessly in love with Dunyasha.

Dunyasha, 18-20 : Maid to the Ranevskys.

Ditzy and lovelorn. Fancies herself lady-like. Madly in love with Yasha.

Firs 87!, Gayev’s valet :

Old-retainer of the Ranevsky estate who runs the house. Longs for the past. Behaves as if he is still the serf he was born as. Devoted to Mme Ranevskyaya.

Yasha, 25-30 : Ranevskaya’s groom/manservant.

Fancies himself better than that and has social aspirations. Flirts with Dunyasha so long as it suits him.

ENSEMBLE, any gender/ages:

These will appear more often than scripted to represent the outside forces that are closing in on the Ranevskys and their way of life. Specific roles include –

Passer-By : a homeless vagrant

Station Master and Post-Office Clerk from the town:  invited to the Act 3 ball

Servants in the Ranevsky household.

AUDITION SUBMISSION FORM